How to pray Many believe that when they pray to God they need to be in church, or in the presence of others. Some believe that they must be assigned special prayers, or penance. Some don't think they need to pray at all. Lets see what the Bible says about prayer. And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples. (Luke 11:1) Jesus was out praying as He often did, and one of the disciples came to Him and asked if He would teach them a prayer to recite just as John taught one of his disciples. Jesus taught them the Lord's prayer. If you are not familiar with this prayer, it will be at the end of the study. Jesus would also explain to the disciples that if we are persistent in prayer we will have our prayers answered. He uses an illustration in (Luke 11:5-13) that everyone who knocks at the door, the door will open. We need to tell our Heavenly Father our needs, even though He knows what we already need. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7) He tells us not to worry about anything, but instead to pray about everything. Just tell God your needs and don't forget to thank Him for His answers. If we do this we will experience God's peace, which is more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep our thoughts and heart at rest as we trust in Jesus Christ. It is also important to know that we should not pray for the pleasures of this world. Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. (James 4:2-3) This is hard to take in, but is so true of the world today. Many want what they don't have, so they kill to get it. They long for what others have, but can't afford it, so they go deep into debt, or even start a fight to take it away from others. And yet the reason they don't have what they want is because they don't ask God for it. Even when they do ask they don't get it because their whole aim is wrong... They usually want what will only give them pleasure. You cannot expect God to answer your prayers if these are your intensions. Rather pray for things of the Spirit. God will give strength to the humble, but sets himself against the proud and those who are arrogant. And to end our study, we will go to the book of Matthew and the words of Jesus on how we should pray. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. (Matthew 6:6-8) Jesus explains to us that when we pray it should be by ourselves, behind closed doors. Pray to our Heavenly Father in secret, and our Father who knows our secrets will reward us. Many will pray out loud in front of others, because it makes them feel so holy. He also explains to us not to recite the same prayer over and over as the heathens do, who think prayers are answered only by repeating them again and again. Sound familiar? How does your church pray? Remember, your Heavenly Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask Him. Jesus would then give His example on how to pray along these lines: This is the Lord's prayer. Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. (Matthew 6:9-13)Keep The Faith,Bart